In 1969 the three branches of the Sisters of Notre Dame celebrated the canonization of Julie Billiart. Some attended the ceremony in Rome, while the majority had celebrations at home. Our Toledo province gave a concert that day, singing the biography of Julie and the history of Notre Dame. Even though Julie suffered much from paralysis and persecution, she is called the “smiling saint.” Honor St. Julie today by extra smiles and a prayer asking God for Julie’s deep experience of God’s unconditional love.
The window in the Lial Renewal Center chapel allows the worshipers to see the outdoors though not distinctly. Much of the window is a large yellow circle that seems to embrace the outdoors, signaling “Come in! Come in!” And at the very center of the yellow circle is the tabernacle, miraculously containing the Lord of the Universe. The chapel window is a visual image of what our fidelity to our life of chastity calls us to realize; namely, that we love all creation in God–the heron flying over the lake, peonies and violets, grapes on the vine, leaves rustling in the breeze. In his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, Paul tells us that God is in everything. Ever since the Ascension of Jesus into heaven we live in a God-filled world. God and Nature: inseparable Beauty. In Christ we love all creation in God.
Today is the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth. On this day we also remember the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring, who took Saint Aloysius as her patron. His patronage was a good choice, because Sister Maria Aloysia spent her religious life teaching children and taking care of orphans. Let us pray today for youth that they may be kept safe through the summer months, that they grow in virtue, spend time in service and good deeds, and remember their friendship with God. May each day fill our children with joyous wonder!
In early morning the row of trees along the lake stood in their habitual greenery. Unexpectedly the sun shone a spotlight on a small section of trees, illuminating the foliage in bright splendor. As the sun rose higher in the sky – my apologies to all you scientists who know better — a longer line of trees was touched by the sun’s rays. Eventually the whole lakeside greenery became lustrous. Gloomy to gleaming, shadowy to shimmering took a matter of minutes. If only the day’s bad news, our own faults, and the dark side of life could be so easily transformed. Perhaps it can, for Psalm 139 tells us that when God rests his hand upon us, our darkness shines like the day. O God, shine upon us. Make us glitter with your radiance.
My family prayed the rosary every night usually in the living room or traveling in a car. There was no thought of ever skipping the rosary, but when there was an exceptionally good program on TV, we prayed the rosary during the commercials. We learned there’s always time to get your prayers “in.”
Vacation time is upon us. In our relaxation and travels will we make time to pray and attend worship? Perhaps even doing a bit more for our spiritual lives? Look ahead to plan prayer in your vacation. I have often given students a calendar of their summer vacation. Students were encouraged to choose colors that represented how they might remember “There’s no vacation from your Christian vocation.” Yellow stood for prayer and worship, green for service and generosity, red for reading the Bible, and so on. It was my hope that often students would glance at the calendar as a reminder. “Oh yeah! I’m supposed to pray.”
At this time of year it’s hard to find a parking place in metroparks. The birders have returned, migrating to the parks to satisfy their passion to see a Waxwing or a Great Crested Flycatcher. There’s a thrill in seeing whether it’s birds, stars, meteors, rainbows, a five-star movie, or the pope. The oohs and ahs. The first one to spot the rare sight. The Resurrection stories are stories of seeing. “We have seen the Lord.” “He saw and believed.” “She turned around and saw Jesus standing there.” “He saw the linen cloths by themselves.” Be on the lookout today. Something may remind you of the Risen Lord.
Recently a friend asked for prayers for her daughter. When this intention came to mind, I prayed a short prayer. Throughout this time I kept feeling the urge to do more. I decided to give this woman a Fatima rosary, along with a note about Our Lady of Fatima and the observance of the 100th anniversary of the appearances to the three children. She prayed the rosary, and two days later she had it in her hand when she told me her intention had been wonderfully answered. Both of us now pray prayers of thanksgiving for this answer to prayer so profound, yet so simple. I found myself reflecting “This is one miracle among many that happened today. Just an ordinary day in the life of God.”
May 13 is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions to the three children in Fatima. Our Lady of Fatima has been a strong Marian devotion for a century, especially praying for peace. Many have gone to Portugal to ask for Mary’s intercession at her shrine. Others have experienced her aid at home. Whatever Mary’s title, she answers. I wonder, though, about her favorite name. Would it be “Mother”? Mothers hear their own children’s voices in a crowd. We need not worry that our voice cannot be heard amid the millions of prayers addressed to Mary. Spend some time on this Mother’s Day with your mother Mary asking for peace in your heart, home and world. As the hymn says, “Our Lady of Fatima, we come on bended knee to ask your intercession for peace and unity.”
In late April I participated in the dedication of St. Joan of Arc Church in Toledo, Ohio. Many Catholics never have such an opportunity, and if they do, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The experience is profound given the richness of the symbolism. What affected me the most was the dedication of the new altar built by Mr. Richard Anderson. Bishop Daniel Thomas poured chrism on the four corners of the altar. Then he smeared the consecrated oil over every inch of the altar, this anointing making the altar a symbol of Christ “The Anointed One.” After the church was anointed with crosses of chrism, making the building an image of the holy city of Jerusalem, incense was burned on the altar to signify that Christ’s sacrifice ascends to God as an odor of sweetness, and the prayers of the People of God rise up pleasing and acceptable to the throne of God.
Before the Eucharist Prayer several women wiped the chrism with large towels later to be burned. (They also cleared the floor of chrism that had splashed during the anointing.) At that point Dick and Fran Anderson, along with two Sisters of Notre Dame, dressed the altar. A family brought in flowers, and other parishioners brought in candles. After the Mass the four who dressed the altar grabbed hands but said little to each other. What could be said after such a privilege?
The three of us living in Waterville ordered a take-out Chinese meal. Of course it came with fortune cookies. Mine read “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” Surprised that the little paper had something profound, I kept it. I’ve reflected that nothing will be changed if we don’t become aware of the need for change. Such awareness is something that I may not readily desire, having had so much change in my life during the past year. The second step takes my travel much farther through the journey to acceptance. Have I become aware of my need for change? Have I accepted that need? Am I transforming the changes in my life into blessings? Now that would be really fortunate!